Smart Phones Can Make People Dumb
By elayne001
What is your phone number? I don't know. I don't usually call myself!
With the latest technology I find that I have forgotten many important numbers, because they are all in my phone. But where is my phone?
Please someone call my phone so I can find it!
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Does any of this sound familiar to you? I used to know where my phone was when it stayed in one place and was attached to the wall. I had all of my important phone numbers written down in a little book that I kept close to the phone.
When someone asked me out of the blue what my son or daughter's phone number was, I did not have to say, oh, I don't know because I left my phone at home.
I actually had at least a dozen phone numbers memorized, and could list them off very easily. Now that my children change phones about every other year, their phone numbers have also changed, and I can no longer remember them by heart.
The only phone number that has stayed consistent belongs to my father who still has a phone connected to the wall. As far as I know, my father has had the same phone number since I was four years old, and we first moved to a new town where he has lived ever since.
About every other day I have to ask my husband to call my phone so I can locate where in the house it is.
What do you think - do smart phones make you dumb?
Friends have suggested that I put all my phone numbers online, then wherever I am, I can look them up. I know I am already connected to my computer at the fingers for much of the day, but do I really want to be so reliant on it?
What if I am stranded? Even if I have synced all my phone contacts with my gmail contacts, what if I can't get quick computer access? What if I have an emergency? Would I even know how to call 9-1-1?
Not only that, but I am not sure about giving Google all my contact information. In trying to be "safe", I may actually be making myself a target for identity theft. What if all of my friends put my phone number on their gmail accounts too - even worse!
People trust too much the online sites - they are the same people who use "Facebook Friend Finder" and then give Facebook access to all of their Google, AOL, Yahoo, etc. contact information. We need to keep some things private, don't we?
What if someone is arrested? It is possible that a guy could spend several days in jail because he couldn't remember a phone number to call to help or bail him out (they do not allow access to a cellphone).
Another suggestion I received was to figure out who belongs to which phone number when I get my phone bill. What a hassle that is!
I heard a story about a guy whose girlfriend was upset that he did not memorize her phone number. Well it sounds like an unreasonable drama don't you think? They broke up, and that young lady felt justified thinking that not memorizing her phone number was a good reason to ditch a guy - that was back in the day - before smart phones. Now it might even pass for a reasonable excuse!
So, what about you? Do you know all your family member's cell phone numbers by heart? Or has your smart phone made you dumb too?
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Comments
This is really true... I need a phone to find my phone.
Of course, smart phones make you dumb - that's why they were invented! :) Thanks for the funny and unfortunately, true read.
If I were to loose my phone it'd be a Tragedy,haha;)
It's true ! I used to remember the phone numbers of all my friends when we didn't have a mobile phone. But now , the only phone numbers I remember are my husband's, mine and my dad's. My husband lost his mobile last year, and he lost contact with most of his friends after that ! He felt totally isolated for couple of months.
Yep. Count me as dumber. I still remember our family phone number when I was 10 and my closest friends number too. But, in the day of the smart phone, I cannot remember my three older children's phone numbers. Great hub :).
This newest generation, the Millenials, doesn't know how to think for themselves because they've always had cell phones, internet, and more to find out answers. I don't use speed dial or stored memory, I actually dial by remembering the numbers.
So happy to know that I am not the only one, except for loriamoore - seems she still has it under control. Thanks for all the comments. Who knew getting a cell phone could cause such problems. It is hard not to sound like an ignoramus when you can't even remember your own phone number or that of your closest friend.
Yup--I'm one of them funny people that loose their phones and then have to have my husband call me to find it too! lol. I also forget to charge it every now and then. . . oh the tragedy of having smart phones. Great post! I'll be chuckling for days . . . :)
I wish I could blame it on my phone, but I was this way before cell phones ever existed!
When I read all your woos, isn't sad. What a hard life hahaha
Me too LianaK - almost every day - phone charging could be another hub - the battery always goes out right when you need it the most.
@G L Strout - sorry - I won't admit to that (even if it is true).
@Hello, hello, it is a hard life - glad you think it is funny!
I to have fallen victim to "the numbers are in my phone". I do however carry a small address book (yes they do still sell them) in my purse. It is for emergency situations when someone may need a number and my phone is missing. Another problem is that I have to have a land line or live with someone else so I can call my phone to find it.
Glad you have a backup plan reddog1027 - I have a little book too, but I leave that home also, as my chiropractor told me to stop carrying around heavy purses. So then I am pretty much in the dark if someone asks me for a phone number. duh!
Very Good! I am anti celly, and this is only one reason...Thanks for sharing
Good for you LillyGrillzit. Who said we need to follow all the new technology - my Dad has a new cell but never turns it on. my brother gave it to him for emergencies - not sure how it will work if he never turns it on.
Wow! i never really thought about it that way! thanks for the tips i am considering that. Do iphones make you dumb too?
I guess the same could be said about any tech gadget that makes you vulnerable if you loose it. We can't keep all our information on something that may be misplaced easily. Thanks for commenting peacegirl101.
Yeah I know what you mean, its very easy to lose your phone *Sighs*. Oh well you can't always depend on your phone. But I remember all my friends' phone #s even though its in Contacts on my cell phone. Mahola, Elayne! Aloha! BTW, Is 'Elayne' your real name?
It is one of my names peacegirl101. You are doing better than I with remembering phone numbers. I can't even remember my husband's office number without my phone.
I spend more time looking for my phone than using it. I can't count the times I've been asked for my home phone number and can't remember because it's on speed dial.
Our technology is erasing man's humanity.
People get fired, hired and end relationships with a simple cold text. Unfortunately, no book of manners came with this horrid little device.
Too many are self involved wrapped up with their own self importance to care about others who share their space.
Guess you are experiencing the new technology like me. Wonder what will be next to make us look dumb : )
Thanks pmccray.
I guess I am lucky, because I have always had a good memory. But I always lose my phone and numerous other things. On phone numbers, I do OK. My husband cannot remember a phone number at all. I love your hub as it is on a unique subject and has a catchy title. It should be getting lots of traffic. Wish I could be as good with subject matter. Thanks for sharing.
This is all part of the anti-Christ plan to destroy our ability to to know anything on our own. Then we will fall for anything because we stand for nothing or for that matter remember anything of real consequence. We have trouble remebering we have a soul so it is a surprise that we are giving up our responsibilty to remember anything. In the end it will be "displaced responsibilty" that will do us in. Yes, it starts with
allowing something else to run our lives.
So true think before it is too late. I agree with your comments. We better shape up fast or we are in over our heads.
I disagree. True that we no longer memorize phone numbers as much as we did before, but it isn't the problem of smartphones only. We had the same problem with feature phones earlier. And if an individual didn't even make the simpliest effort to memorize '911', it is definitely not the problem of smartphones but his very own. Smartphones makes one dumb, in numerous ways. But your reasonings are irrelevant as far as I see it.
diogenes 21 months ago
Ha Ha! Soooo true. I keep getting stuck on my cell fone with people asking me for the number and I say I cant give it to them cause its on the directory and I will have to cut them off to get it. It sounds so bloody stoopid!! I have written it down everywhere then forget where I wrote it. Sometimes I would like to chuck the lot out of the window and go and be a beachcomber somewhere technology hasn't intruded. Great hub Bob